rogerrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rogerrocks on May 9, 2010 10:24:15 GMT -5
Well, I have a problem with Labradorite, and I can't seem to figure it out! I tumble it at 40/60 grit for a week and then I use 220 grit for 1 week. After that I finish it by hand working from 220 up to 14,000 diamond mesh but my rocks still come out dull not a high shine .what am I doing wrong? I have tried to put it through the full cycle in the tumbler but it comes out cloudy !
any help would be appreciated before I pull all of the hair out of my head! I tried to post a picture but the resoulution was to high and I am not sure how to reduce that. will try again to post a pic.
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Post by deb193redux on May 9, 2010 21:23:22 GMT -5
Can you post a pic. I have seen folks call various things with blue flash Labradorite.
Is your 14000 a paste or diamond spray or what?
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 10, 2010 1:00:04 GMT -5
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rogerrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rogerrocks on May 10, 2010 8:57:38 GMT -5
Hi, thanks for responding, I am using 14000 paste I think its called, it comes in a small syringe. here is a pic of Labradorite it's not great I had to change the pixies in order to load it to this site. Attachments:
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rogerrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rogerrocks on May 10, 2010 9:34:03 GMT -5
here is a better picture I finally figured out how to change the pixies and focus the camera. This Labradorite came form Labrador Canada Attachments:
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Post by deb193redux on May 10, 2010 10:02:44 GMT -5
I don't see any problems with the shine on that. Where is it cloudy?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2010 10:59:30 GMT -5
Greeting "Rogerrocks", no wonder (14,000 mesh) is an ultra-fine abrasive or pre-polish, but with that you should have at least a silky sheen, unless you jumped from 220 to 14,000 in a single step. Question: Did you jump directly from 220 to 14,000 in a single step? (14,000 mesh) is roughly equivalent to 2 microns, standard grade polishes start at 1.5 microns (17,500 mesh). Linde C or Lortone's 1.0 micron Alu-Ox is equivalent to (25,000 mesh). Linde B or 0.5 micron Alu-Ox is equivalent to (50,000 mesh). Linde A or 0.3 micron Alu-Ox is equivalent to (90,000 mesh). -- I hail from (The Barony of Seabegs) Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, U.K, where aliens sometimes come for a visit & about 4 miles west from this monstrosity! Sticky's: their contents are resource information 1: Vendors worldwide, 2: FAQS: Tags & Smilies, 3: How to identify rocks & minerals, 4: Save money on expensive grits & polishes! |
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rogerrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rogerrocks on May 10, 2010 12:00:29 GMT -5
I do get a silky sheen. I start at 220, mesh then ,325, 600, 1,200, 3,000, 8,000 and then 14,000 diamond grit. So where do I go from there. Should I go with a higher number in the diamond mesh?
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rogerrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rogerrocks on May 10, 2010 12:03:38 GMT -5
Hi Deb,
the picture was taken out doors. but if you look at the rock without seeing the colour it has a silky sheen but looks kinda dull
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Post by deb193redux on May 10, 2010 12:09:11 GMT -5
Well that is a good class of Labradorite so it should shine. I would follow ASI's advice and get into the 50k range. Diamond paste and spray is available in this size. Good quality AO polish is about 50k, but I do not know if yuu want to go back to oxides after diamond at the previous stage.
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rogerrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rogerrocks on May 10, 2010 13:06:08 GMT -5
Thanks ASI , and deb, I will take the advice and see how it works out. I did not know that 14,000 diamond grit was a prepolish, thats why my stones don't have a high shine. Now I will have to order the higher diamond grit. And of course you can't get Lapidary supplies in Canada so I will have to order it from the US
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on May 10, 2010 18:24:24 GMT -5
"And of course you can't get Lapidary supplies in Canada so I will have to order it from the US "
It's not a plot, just payback for hogging all the Jade (Nephrite) in BC ;D
Dr Joe
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2010 6:10:45 GMT -5
Greetings "Rogerrocks", incorrect you have not looked at my 1st Sticky! The only time that i would utilise diamond abrasive products are if i were faceting diamond (Moh's 10.0) or for speed of cutting facet grade Quartz (Moh's 7.0), Topaz (Moh's 8.0) or Sapphire & Ruby (Moh's 9.0)! Everything else below (Moh's 7.0) is done with Silicon Carbide or Aluminum Oxide grit. Even diamond can be polished with the same polishes as used in tumblers, see Sticky "4:"! -- I hail from (The Barony of Seabegs) Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, U.K, where aliens sometimes come for a visit & about 4 miles west from this monstrosity! Sticky's: their contents are resource information 1: Vendors worldwide, 2: FAQS: Tags & Smilies, 3: How to identify rocks & minerals, 4: Save money on expensive grits & polishes! |
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rogerrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rogerrocks on May 11, 2010 14:46:13 GMT -5
ASI, you are right I did not even see the sticky's there. But I have read them now, and I understand. Thank you!
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on May 12, 2010 3:09:15 GMT -5
Hi That wrap is fantastic
I think you did realy well with it im struggling with mine at present
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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rogerrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rogerrocks on May 12, 2010 9:03:09 GMT -5
Thanks Jack,
I used dead soft 20gauge square Argentium Silver, and for the 1/2 round I used 22gauge dead soft. I get my wire from Wire Sculpture.com . I find I can't work with anything but dead soft for wrapping because I work harden it to much. at least with dead soft I have a fighting chance of getting my wraps neat!
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rogerrocks
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2010
Posts: 12
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Post by rogerrocks on May 12, 2010 9:05:13 GMT -5
Hi dr joe,
I am sure we can share some of the jade if you guys share some of the Lapidary supplies! lol
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